Gary DeLaune: Our own version of ‘Braveheart’

Gary DeLaune is a longtime Texas journalist and a veteran of more than four decades behind the microphone. He is broadcasting high school football games this season on radio station Star 810-AM KYTY (www.star810.com).

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In the movie “Braveheart” that starred Mel Gibson, he fought for the people of Scotland who were were victims of injustice and and oppression by the British government.Because of his courage and bravery he was called “Braveheart” by his fellow Scottish brothers.

We didn’t need a Hollywood script writer the past two weeks to witness some examples of true courage under fire and a display of team character in three playoff games involving Madison and Reagan.

On December 1st, in Weslaco, the Mavericks of the sage pigskin prophet, James Streety, needed every character prescribed by Norman Vincent Peale to come from behind in a 59-42 victory over the Panthers which hosted the second round of the playoffs.There were some 10,000 Rio Grande residents screaming for their home team while an estimated 800 Madison fans held onto their composure and hopes amid the tumultuous sounds of a hostile crowd.The Mavs had to stage a fantastic comeback after allowing Weslaco to score 28 unanswered points before they were able to gallop to their own 31 unanswered points.Andrew Green ran for almost 300 yards and scored four times while Bryan Ehrlich was proving again he was a senior leader with 11 of 17 for 160 yards..

Just two hours before the Valley game kick-off, the Reagan Rattlers were playing at a neutral field, Victoria’s Memorial Stadium, and the Los Fresnos Falcons took flight quicker than a hungry eagle soaring over a colony of ground hogs.

The Falcons were birds of prey as they scored two quick touchdowns and led 14-0 before the Rattlers could manage their first six but the point after was blocked.Then the big birds from down south, with an offensive line big enough to hold off an elephant herd, was going in for another score when Kyle Davis intercepted in the end zone.From that time on, the Snakes found their touchdown venom and two 80-yard teedee rambles by Marcus Wright, ignited the fuse and they slithered to an impressive 49-28 victory with Neiman Marcus Wright gaining almost 300 yards.

Fast forward to Saturday December 8th in Henry’s favorite hacienda, the Alamodome and it was the dream of former Mayor Henry Cisneros to have such a structe built.We are ever so glad he did.

The kick-off was at high noon and again Madison was on the turf against the methodical machine of football victories, Smithson Valley.

The Rangers, like the Judson Rockets of a few years ago, seem to be the team to beat in order to climb to the 26-5-A throne room.

Sure enough, with quarterback David Pawelek, a senior field general, and Trey Reinhart, a quicker than a sneeze back-up to the injured Trent Rios, the Rangers took over the line of scrimmage, the clock and the scoreboard.It seemed they were the Titans against an inferior neighbor even though the Mavericks had won the first meeting when star Devin Thomas ran wild.

But the loss of Rios didn’t match the loss of Thomas for the Mavs and the huge offensive line simply over powered the Madison defense.

Ehrlich, who was a consistent quarterback all season with only four interceptions, threw for two in the first quarter and quicker than you could say Koy Detmer, Ehhlick’s passing tutor this past summer, the young gladiators of Larry Hill were the bullies of the block simply shoving aside the stunned Maverick defenders.Pawelek scored on a four yard sneak, Madison tied it up on a pass from Ehrlich to Joey Boyd but Zac Russell picked off another aerial and returned it for a score.The Rangers were looking tougher than trying to eat frozen jerkey with dentures.They were up 21-7 at half time and 35-7 in the fourth quarter.Suddenly the Rangers who had arrested, handcuffed and incarcerated the Mavericks for three and a half quarters, found themselves caught in a stampede.The orange jerseyed Mavs discovered some Braveheart courage and staged a bigger battle than Sitting Bull at LIttle Big Horn.

It appeared the pocket full of miracles in Steety’s sweatshirt was depleted.But Madison scored two touchdowns in less than a minute and a-half andthe non-believers began to revive their faith.

With future star, sophomore Nate Askew catching four touchdown passes, there was a miracle on Montana Street to equal Sean Elliott’s Memorial Day miracle.

Prophetically, at half-time, my guest was Detmer, who said Ehrlich would regain his confidence and just keep working at it.

Koy should get a fortune teller’s job in Las Vegas.

No doubt, the Reagan comeback against Los Fresnos was thrilling and exciting and I wasn’t there to broadcast the Madison win over Weslaco but the Mavericks stunner over Smithson Valley has to rank up there with the most exciting game high school game I’ve ever had the privilege to broadcast.

There were some games years ago that might compare to the Madison win but they are not that vivid in my mind.

When Sam Vivian kicked the field goal in overtime to ignite a celebration to equal a New Year’s eve celebration on Times Square, I was as drained and exhausted as any of the game’s participants.My palms were wet, heart palpitations seemed to have increased and my voice was about to fade into laryngitis.

But it just proved that the character, will-to-win and persona of a team can be measured by its leaders.No, Mel Gibson wasn’t there but there were plenty of young warriors to portray the role of “BraveHeart”.